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The Squire's Tales #9
The Squire's Quest
Why is it, Terence wondered, that the things you know most surely are always the things you can’t demonstrate to any one else?
And why is it, after all of these years, that Terence is still just a squire, offering advice on how best to scrub the rust spots from armor? But Squire Terence has more to worry about than his place on the social scale. For all the peace and prosperity that has made England famous across Europe, Terence is uneasy. After nearly six months without contact with the World of the Faeries – not even from his old friend, the mischievous sprite Robin – Terence is sure something is rotten in King Arthur's court.
And why is it, after all of these years, that Terence is still just a squire, offering advice on how best to scrub the rust spots from armor? But Squire Terence has more to worry about than his place on the social scale. For all the peace and prosperity that has made England famous across Europe, Terence is uneasy. After nearly six months without contact with the World of the Faeries – not even from his old friend, the mischievous sprite Robin – Terence is sure something is rotten in King Arthur's court.
275 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Gerald Morris
23 books488 followersGerald Morris is an award-winning author, best known for his retellings of Arthurian legends for preteen and teen readers.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 10, 2012
Shut up, this is an id-series for me. I can see of its flaws and I don't care. These flaws include complete and total ahistoricism (put any and all knowledge of post-third-century European or Byzantine history, mores, religion, etc., in a sealed box while reading this), a tin ear for dialogue, and way more heteronormativity (there's actually a "we're not gay" moment which makes me want to *light things on fire*) and Protestant coding than I am really comfortable with. Morris is oddly hostile, and has been so for a while, to people who take stories seriously, who try to use them as models for their behavior — why a novelist (and a pastor, apparently, according to the jacket) would take this attitude baffles me.
But Terence continues to be a delight, Gawain's increasingly-brief appearances are always wonderful, I was thrilled to see Eileen get an actual speaking role, albeit no action, Dinadin is funny if incredibly anachronistic, Mordred was actually handled well, and Arthur is my favoritest (Morris' portrait of him is actually fascinating and may be the most subtle part of the whole series).
Don't start with this book, oh god no, but if you have been yearning for more Terence as Morris has fucked around for the past several books with Lancelot and other Arthurian heroes, it is not a bad addition to the series.
But Terence continues to be a delight, Gawain's increasingly-brief appearances are always wonderful, I was thrilled to see Eileen get an actual speaking role, albeit no action, Dinadin is funny if incredibly anachronistic, Mordred was actually handled well, and Arthur is my favoritest (Morris' portrait of him is actually fascinating and may be the most subtle part of the whole series).
Don't start with this book, oh god no, but if you have been yearning for more Terence as Morris has fucked around for the past several books with Lancelot and other Arthurian heroes, it is not a bad addition to the series.
August 7, 2019
we stan sir terence (FINALLY)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2009
Gerald Morris never disappoints, and this latest installment is no exception! If you are already a fan, you will be delighted with this book; if you are new to him, you have hit the jackpot. In a world where quality young adult authors seem thin on the ground, Morris brings his readers back to the extremely satisying realm of Arthurian adventure fantasy, made so by his gift of spinning a terrific story.
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April 2, 2024This is not one of the better instalments in the series, since it retells a romance of Chretien's that Morris strongly dislikes, and thus (as usual with this author) there's more mockery than heart or insight in his version of the tale of Cliges and Fenice. Richly though it deserves mockery, I honestly don't think Morris has a very mature understanding of the courtly love phenomenon which he attempts to critique in this book (and others), and for me this was highlighted when he casually brings on a couple of Cathars.
The Cathars, if you know your medieval history, were a heretic group accused of some fairly extreme Gnostic beliefs, and Denis de Rougemont famously traced similarities between the heresies attributed to the Cathars, and the courtly love poetry developed by Provencal troubadours in the same place at the same time. At this point, I couldn't help an overwrought facepalm, because it was such a perfect encapsulation of how Morris cruises right past genuine, in-depth critique and discussion of the courtly love phenomenon in favour of the most surface-level American-Baptist-pastor critique possible. Even if you want to argue that de Rougemont's thesis is unproven or that the Cathars might not have believed everything they were accused of (all that Morris says about them, very brightly, is that they are incapable of telling lies - which seems an odd thing to say about any fallen human being), there's so much more to these stories and to the discourse surrounding them than "people be weird about love LOL".
The other thing that I found challenging in this book was the fact that the characters meet the Eastern Roman Emperor and then roadtrip to medieval Greece. Even accounting for the fact that this is a retelling of a medieval romance written with a blithe disregard for cultural accuracy or sensitivity, Morris makes a number of howlers that are all his own. I'll admit that this only matters to me because I happen to know some things about the Eastern empire. Nobody else is going to mind.
Apart from these things, the book was as ever, a quick and engaging read with plenty of humour and silliness, but with a dark undertone as things are set up for the final tragic chapter. I'm really hoping Morris doesn't go full LAST BATTLE with the story here, because that book scarred me. We shall see.
The Cathars, if you know your medieval history, were a heretic group accused of some fairly extreme Gnostic beliefs, and Denis de Rougemont famously traced similarities between the heresies attributed to the Cathars, and the courtly love poetry developed by Provencal troubadours in the same place at the same time. At this point, I couldn't help an overwrought facepalm, because it was such a perfect encapsulation of how Morris cruises right past genuine, in-depth critique and discussion of the courtly love phenomenon in favour of the most surface-level American-Baptist-pastor critique possible. Even if you want to argue that de Rougemont's thesis is unproven or that the Cathars might not have believed everything they were accused of (all that Morris says about them, very brightly, is that they are incapable of telling lies - which seems an odd thing to say about any fallen human being), there's so much more to these stories and to the discourse surrounding them than "people be weird about love LOL".
The other thing that I found challenging in this book was the fact that the characters meet the Eastern Roman Emperor and then roadtrip to medieval Greece. Even accounting for the fact that this is a retelling of a medieval romance written with a blithe disregard for cultural accuracy or sensitivity, Morris makes a number of howlers that are all his own. I'll admit that this only matters to me because I happen to know some things about the Eastern empire. Nobody else is going to mind.
Apart from these things, the book was as ever, a quick and engaging read with plenty of humour and silliness, but with a dark undertone as things are set up for the final tragic chapter. I'm really hoping Morris doesn't go full LAST BATTLE with the story here, because that book scarred me. We shall see.
January 5, 2016
Yet another really good entry in the Squire's Tale series. I am impressed that Morris can continue to deliver such a well-developed plot with believable characters. And a little sad that there is only one more in the series. I will definitely reread these, they are too fun to be a one-time experience.
This one, like The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady, is a bit slow to get good because Morris spends some time at the beginning setting up a "dramatic pause" situation where nothing's happened for a while but there is a feeling that things aren't going right. I think much of this could be dispensed with in order to get to the good stuff. And there is plenty of good stuff.
This entry focuses on Mordred and his machinations. Any Arthurian fan knows the basic story, but Morris illustrates it masterfully. The political intrigue around Mordred is both chilling and plausible. There is more discussion of moral right and wrong, once again with "courtly love" as one of the targets for satire and outright denunciation (again similar to The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady). Morris pulls in some Greek and Byzantine culture and myth too this time, which adds a little spice to the story. And Dinadan has a significant part to play, which I enjoyed.
This one, like The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady, is a bit slow to get good because Morris spends some time at the beginning setting up a "dramatic pause" situation where nothing's happened for a while but there is a feeling that things aren't going right. I think much of this could be dispensed with in order to get to the good stuff. And there is plenty of good stuff.
This entry focuses on Mordred and his machinations. Any Arthurian fan knows the basic story, but Morris illustrates it masterfully. The political intrigue around Mordred is both chilling and plausible. There is more discussion of moral right and wrong, once again with "courtly love" as one of the targets for satire and outright denunciation (again similar to The Squire, His Knight, and His Lady). Morris pulls in some Greek and Byzantine culture and myth too this time, which adds a little spice to the story. And Dinadan has a significant part to play, which I enjoyed.
March 6, 2013
Well, I thought a baby could see through Mordred's plots, but at least this broke the status quo in Camelot. I'm a little sad for Sarah, being used in this perfunctory way as a love interest after having a whole book to herself in which she completely kicked ass. But the issue of Eileen and Terence was finally dealt with, and the whole issue where Arthur depends on Terence but he's just a squire in Camelot.
So that was fun, although Gerald Morris is still sadly lacking in a brain when it comes to talking about Chrétien de Troyes. This won't matter to kids reading these books, but it matters rather a lot to me. Argh!
So that was fun, although Gerald Morris is still sadly lacking in a brain when it comes to talking about Chrétien de Troyes. This won't matter to kids reading these books, but it matters rather a lot to me. Argh!
March 25, 2021
The ending is decent, but the bulk of the book is like the later books in this series: farcical. Too reliant on worked-in myths which never mesh with the setting.
March 4, 2021
4.5 stars
The villain was woefully underdeveloped, from what I remember at least, but Achoriandes (I'm not sure if I'm spelling his name right--it's been so long since I've read it!) is probably the best character ever created. Dinadan and Terence are also amazing. This series is such a childhood favorite for me.
The villain was woefully underdeveloped, from what I remember at least, but Achoriandes (I'm not sure if I'm spelling his name right--it's been so long since I've read it!) is probably the best character ever created. Dinadan and Terence are also amazing. This series is such a childhood favorite for me.
September 3, 2019
3.5 stars.
The Squire’s Quest....Or 'Why Courtly Love is an Abomination and Must be Avoided At All Costs'
Once again, this was a perfectly enjoyable read. It’s funny, it has more than a few heartfelt moments, and it features all of your favorite characters from across nine books, as well as some interesting new ones (the Greek contingent proved especially great). But as with Quest of the Fair Unknown, the route feels a little...familiar.
Once again there’s a takedown of courtly love and all it stands for. Once again there’s a disaster avoided at the last moment. But as the penultimate work in a series, this would be the time to let things end on a darker note.
This would be the place to end with Mordred ascendant and Terence left out in the cold. This wouldn’t be as satisfying an ending in the short term, but that’s why there’s a last book left to resolve everything. If Arthur’s court is really on the precipice of disaster, I want to feel the doom approaching.
Instead of yet another example of courtly love gone wrong, the book could rather have focused on Terence vs. Mordred. Perhaps they have to travel together, with Terence suspicious and Mordred wrestling with his own nature. Could there be more to Mordred than meets the eye? Could he change, as Lancelot and Guinevere do? Away from his mother's control, does he even want to kill his father? Or perhaps Terence and Mordred are each other’s equal-and-opposite: both connected to the Other World, both powerful, with one fighting against King Arthur and one fighting for him.
I’m curious to see what will happen in the last book. But if Books 8 and 9 prove true, I fear we may simply be going down a path we’ve seen before.
The Squire’s Quest....Or 'Why Courtly Love is an Abomination and Must be Avoided At All Costs'
Once again, this was a perfectly enjoyable read. It’s funny, it has more than a few heartfelt moments, and it features all of your favorite characters from across nine books, as well as some interesting new ones (the Greek contingent proved especially great). But as with Quest of the Fair Unknown, the route feels a little...familiar.
Once again there’s a takedown of courtly love and all it stands for. Once again there’s a disaster avoided at the last moment. But as the penultimate work in a series, this would be the time to let things end on a darker note.
This would be the place to end with Mordred ascendant and Terence left out in the cold. This wouldn’t be as satisfying an ending in the short term, but that’s why there’s a last book left to resolve everything. If Arthur’s court is really on the precipice of disaster, I want to feel the doom approaching.
Instead of yet another example of courtly love gone wrong, the book could rather have focused on Terence vs. Mordred. Perhaps they have to travel together, with Terence suspicious and Mordred wrestling with his own nature. Could there be more to Mordred than meets the eye? Could he change, as Lancelot and Guinevere do? Away from his mother's control, does he even want to kill his father? Or perhaps Terence and Mordred are each other’s equal-and-opposite: both connected to the Other World, both powerful, with one fighting against King Arthur and one fighting for him.
I’m curious to see what will happen in the last book. But if Books 8 and 9 prove true, I fear we may simply be going down a path we’ve seen before.
September 17, 2013
this is an excellent book fun and full of fresh clean romance, combined with one final adventure before the end of the story. but this book is relay about lies, and how they effect the rest of your life and the lives of others. another great book from Gerald Morris.
February 21, 2024
Sometimes a book gets three stars because it's generally average, other times because it's a mixture of good and bad elements. For example, this book, which brings Mordred into Camelot and begins the inevitable fall of King Arthur's court...and also retells "Cligés," so that Morris can once again gripe about courtly love. With two different couples for the price of one!
Do you ever get tired of writing the same thing over and over, Gerald? Because I'm tried of writing the same complaints over and over. What can I say about your take on Alexander/Sarah and Cligés/Fenice that I haven't already said about your versions of Lancelot/Guinevere, Gareth/Lyonesse, Tristram/Iseult and Ywain/Laudine?*
Well, actually, two things. For one, Alexander/Sarah is probably the best romance on that list, in part because, instead of a one-dimensionally stupid guy falling stupidly in love with a one-dimensionally stupid girl, he's falling in love with someone already established as being an actual character. So instead, we get the comedy of prickly badass Sarah getting wooed by a guy who's ridiculously persistent. And then Alexander actually develops into a real character as well, without it seemingly as inconsistent as when Ywain did the same. Plus, this storyline actually has other stuff going on which ties into the Mordred arc. So overall, the first half of the book isn't so bad.
My second comment is that some scholars actually believe that "Cligés" is supposed to be a parody. So in the second section, where Cligés and Fernice reenact a story that we already got in book #5, it's actually Morris parodying a parody.
So anyway, Cligés and Fenice are annoying, and all the characters talk about how annoying they are, and that's basically the sum for their whole subplot. Meanwhile, these chapters aren't connected to the Mordred arc, so they seem like an annoying distraction until Terence and co. wander away and start dealing with that again.
Their method of dealing with it, incidentally, is going to the Greek mythological underworld, which is apparently just Hell in this universe, the same as how the Celtic Other World seems to be Heaven. (Which is weird, because it's called "Elysium," the name of the good part of the Greek underworld, but whatever.) This was one of the more interesting parts of the story, even if it feels like a chapter of Percy Jackson somehow got printed in the wrong book. Much like with Morris' fairy mythology, you get the feeling that he'd rather be talking about this than King Arthur stuff.
Anyway, the Mordred plot is mostly solid—this version of him is very sneaky, able to act really friendly and noble while pulling off complicated schemes that Terence and co. need to unravel. My main problem is that, despite Mordred seeming so nice, Terence instantly knows that he's evil, for no other reason than "he can just tell." It feels cheap, especially since it makes it less impressive when he and others notice the clues to his villainy. Plus, while anyone with a background in Arthuriana will know that's Mordred is bad, it could have been a twist for this series' target audience. It also has an easy fix, since Mordred was briefly in the last book and acted super sus to Beaufils. Just have him tell Terence to suspect Mordred.
Side note: There's a scene where Terence tells Gawain that he talked with Beaufils, and if you hadn't read the last page of the last book, you wouldn't even know that they're father and son.
Another thing that bothered me, personally, was the historical inaccuracy. Morris says in his Author's Note that he doesn't think Arthuriana should worry too much about that, and I agree, but he does it so much and so blatantly that it feels distracting.
Anyway, all that aside, the Mordred stuff is generally quite good, while the "Cligés" stuff varies based on how much it ties in or actively distracts from that. I'm hoping the last book will focus on the actual fall of Camelot and not wander off after another bad parody.
* In retrospect, Pelleas/Ettarde should probably also be on this list. I guess it helps that they're supposed to be dysfunctional.
Do you ever get tired of writing the same thing over and over, Gerald? Because I'm tried of writing the same complaints over and over. What can I say about your take on Alexander/Sarah and Cligés/Fenice that I haven't already said about your versions of Lancelot/Guinevere, Gareth/Lyonesse, Tristram/Iseult and Ywain/Laudine?*
Well, actually, two things. For one, Alexander/Sarah is probably the best romance on that list, in part because, instead of a one-dimensionally stupid guy falling stupidly in love with a one-dimensionally stupid girl, he's falling in love with someone already established as being an actual character. So instead, we get the comedy of prickly badass Sarah getting wooed by a guy who's ridiculously persistent. And then Alexander actually develops into a real character as well, without it seemingly as inconsistent as when Ywain did the same. Plus, this storyline actually has other stuff going on which ties into the Mordred arc. So overall, the first half of the book isn't so bad.
My second comment is that some scholars actually believe that "Cligés" is supposed to be a parody. So in the second section, where Cligés and Fernice reenact a story that we already got in book #5, it's actually Morris parodying a parody.
So anyway, Cligés and Fenice are annoying, and all the characters talk about how annoying they are, and that's basically the sum for their whole subplot. Meanwhile, these chapters aren't connected to the Mordred arc, so they seem like an annoying distraction until Terence and co. wander away and start dealing with that again.
Their method of dealing with it, incidentally, is going to the Greek mythological underworld, which is apparently just Hell in this universe, the same as how the Celtic Other World seems to be Heaven. (Which is weird, because it's called "Elysium," the name of the good part of the Greek underworld, but whatever.) This was one of the more interesting parts of the story, even if it feels like a chapter of Percy Jackson somehow got printed in the wrong book. Much like with Morris' fairy mythology, you get the feeling that he'd rather be talking about this than King Arthur stuff.
Anyway, the Mordred plot is mostly solid—this version of him is very sneaky, able to act really friendly and noble while pulling off complicated schemes that Terence and co. need to unravel. My main problem is that, despite Mordred seeming so nice, Terence instantly knows that he's evil, for no other reason than "he can just tell." It feels cheap, especially since it makes it less impressive when he and others notice the clues to his villainy. Plus, while anyone with a background in Arthuriana will know that's Mordred is bad, it could have been a twist for this series' target audience. It also has an easy fix, since Mordred was briefly in the last book and acted super sus to Beaufils. Just have him tell Terence to suspect Mordred.
Side note: There's a scene where Terence tells Gawain that he talked with Beaufils, and if you hadn't read the last page of the last book, you wouldn't even know that they're father and son.
Another thing that bothered me, personally, was the historical inaccuracy. Morris says in his Author's Note that he doesn't think Arthuriana should worry too much about that, and I agree, but he does it so much and so blatantly that it feels distracting.
Anyway, all that aside, the Mordred stuff is generally quite good, while the "Cligés" stuff varies based on how much it ties in or actively distracts from that. I'm hoping the last book will focus on the actual fall of Camelot and not wander off after another bad parody.
* In retrospect, Pelleas/Ettarde should probably also be on this list. I guess it helps that they're supposed to be dysfunctional.
March 4, 2022
The ninth book in the Squire's Tale series, Terence is Sir Gawain's squire, of King Arthur's court. When a knight named Morderd joins the court, Terence can't shake the feeling that something is off about him. The fact that the Seelie Court, the fairy world Terence came from, is sealed off does not help matters. Terence ends up traveling far to investigate his suspicion of Mordred, all the way to Greece and back with Sir Dinadan, and sees more than he bargained for. This book marks a change in tone for the series. It is much darker and cracks are starting to show in King Arthur's court. It still has the wit and humor of the earlier books, but it is clear that this is the beginning of the end for the once and future king. For that reason, it's not one of my favorites in the series, because I don't want to see it end!
I first read this series when I was much younger, and it still holds up. I've also learned a lot more about the original Arthurian Legends since then, and it surprised me how accurate to the source material this series is. Morris adds a more modern perspective and tone while still holding true to the old stories. The story is very enjoyable when you go in knowing nothing about the legends, but coming back to it with new knowledge makes me notice things I never had before. Arthurian legends were written and rewritten over hundreds of years, and as far as I am concerned Gerald Morris has joined the canon of Arthurian authors and added his series to the Legends. Fans of Arthur, no matter what age, will love this book and series.
I first read this series when I was much younger, and it still holds up. I've also learned a lot more about the original Arthurian Legends since then, and it surprised me how accurate to the source material this series is. Morris adds a more modern perspective and tone while still holding true to the old stories. The story is very enjoyable when you go in knowing nothing about the legends, but coming back to it with new knowledge makes me notice things I never had before. Arthurian legends were written and rewritten over hundreds of years, and as far as I am concerned Gerald Morris has joined the canon of Arthurian authors and added his series to the Legends. Fans of Arthur, no matter what age, will love this book and series.
June 16, 2023
A mysterious young man arrives at court, hoping to become a knight, and Terence immediately has misgivings. The young man's name is Mordred, he is the secret, illegitimate son of King Arthur, and he seems guileless and starry-eyed. However, Terence has bigger things to worry about: it's been six months since he's had any word from the Other World. With Dinadan and new Greek friend Acoriondes, he leaves Camelot and sets off on an adventure across the continent to find answers.
It's so nice to get another story from Terence's viewpoint! The Squire's Quest is decidedly better than the last few books. The tone gets inevitably darker as the end draws nearer. I hadn't realized that "good guys" don't really die in this series, until... they do. But Morris manages to balance the impending doom we all know is coming with the humorous incidents, witty banter, and poignant truth that characterize all of the other books. I will be so sad to be done with this series, but I this book has certainly laid the groundwork for a satisfying conclusion.
It's so nice to get another story from Terence's viewpoint! The Squire's Quest is decidedly better than the last few books. The tone gets inevitably darker as the end draws nearer. I hadn't realized that "good guys" don't really die in this series, until... they do. But Morris manages to balance the impending doom we all know is coming with the humorous incidents, witty banter, and poignant truth that characterize all of the other books. I will be so sad to be done with this series, but I this book has certainly laid the groundwork for a satisfying conclusion.
April 3, 2022
I was so excited to see my library had a copy of this book for me to read. I read these when I was younger seeming to always pick one of books in the series up from the library I went to then. However, they only had the first 8 books. It was so wonderful to return to Camelot with these characters that I love and have loved so much. Maybe it's not anything revolutionary in the realm of King Arthur retellings but this whole series is so consistently fantastic. They never fail to put a smile on my face and are episodic enough and focus on different characters often enough that you can really pick any one up and read them whenever and in whatever order you wish. This was no exception and I'm very happy to have finally fulfilled middle-school me's desire to read this. I'm looking forward to picking up the next and final book, finally completing the series.
August 5, 2024
I’m sorry whaaattttt?!??!! I like love this more than the whole series? I stayed up late to finish it but have no regrets. I was laughing, crying, and reading aloud at some points even getting up to play out some scenes haha. The banter and humor in this had me ON THE FLOOR 😭 I was surprised that this book had some really deep thoughts in it and a lot of the content was pretty philosophical at some points. On the plus side, it had some Greek mythology sprinkled in which I loved. Heartbreak, Heroism, Common sense, Knights that aren’t stupid, Love that’s not cringy, Compassion—I love Terence btw. Plus, I’ve wanted to finish the series for forever and never had access to this book until now 😭 I can’t believe the story is ending—1 book to go 😭 did I forget to mention that I LOVE THIS SERIES???!!!! ❤️ 100000/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️>>>>
June 16, 2021
It's Terence's turn for a Quest. Terence is already on edge since he hasn't heard from home in months. So when a young man named Mordred turns up at court and immediately starts gaining favor with Arthur and the other knights, Terence's sense of unease grows.
Terence tries to keep an eye on Mordred and one eye on the king. Between betrayals and deaths, Terence is faced with the knowledge that Arthur's time may be drawing to a close. And knowing that he can't stop the inevitable end.
Terence tries to keep an eye on Mordred and one eye on the king. Between betrayals and deaths, Terence is faced with the knowledge that Arthur's time may be drawing to a close. And knowing that he can't stop the inevitable end.
November 7, 2022
One book away from finishing the series. It is bittersweet. Reading this book and I'm sure the next one felt like reading The Last Battle in the Chronicles of Narnia. Not in terms of writing quality necessarily. (No one can compete with Lewis.) I mean more of in how I feel when I am reading. The end is near. Not everything is as it seems. The ending of The Squire's Quest, however, stirred me emotionally. To see Terrence become a knight finally and also to declare his love openly for Eileen even before that happens. It is a thing of beauty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
This seemed much darker in tone than the previous books in the series, although it did retain occasional flashes of humor. Based on Arthurian legend, this time Chretian de Troyes' Cliges, it takes a worried Terence, the squire of the title, on a journey to Greece and Saxony. But at the same time he is worried about the lack of recent contact from the realm of Faery, and about Arthur's growing reliance on the recently-arrived Mordred.
May 16, 2018
I had trouble decided what to rate this one. There was a lot about this story that I liked, but the Tristam/Iseult plotline is basically my least favorite out of the series, and we get a round two here... and it's just as depressing as it was in The Ballad of Sir Dinadan. Still, a good book around the outside of the "love" story, and a solid addition to the series.
June 25, 2018
This one was so sad. For this reason it was my least-favorite of the series thus far. That said, "The Squire's Quest" still had me laughing out loud every so often. And falling even further in love with Terrance. How does Morris do it?
Also, I'd been waiting for the events of the last chapter ever since reading the second book!
Also, I'd been waiting for the events of the last chapter ever since reading the second book!
May 26, 2020
The courtly love reached new heights of absurdity. This book does mark a dark turn for the series for obvious reasons. Death, betrayal, and a deep plot come to fruition. I don’t quite see why Sarah had to be part of this story, and while her love eventually turned out to be true, it didn’t make any sense. Why the emperor fell for her in the first place was never explained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
Mordred arrives at Camelot, and things start going wrong in Camelot. This book was probably my least favorite of The Squire's Tales. It starts out with a noticeably darker tone than the others, but while Terence is in Greece the book becomes more light-hearted (like the previous entries in the series)
November 29, 2019
If you ever wanted to know who would win in a fight a greek priest or a Roman priest then read this book.
Overall it's not my favorite book. I like having sir Dinadan more involved in this book. I didn't really care about the story in Athens, but it was still a good book to read.
Overall it's not my favorite book. I like having sir Dinadan more involved in this book. I didn't really care about the story in Athens, but it was still a good book to read.
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January 14, 2022I literally binge these books each time I pick one up. Is this series perfect? Uummm no. Will I continue to read and reread them anyway? Most definitely! The squires quest wasn’t my favorite so far, but still a good read and I did like having Terrence as the focus again.
March 29, 2019
Why do the good guys always get fooled by the evil one? I guess this has always been a theme. Anyway, not my favorite of the series, but still very good and a great ending.
June 25, 2019
Epic tale
I love the character progression in this series and how every story digs much deeper into king Arthur’s grand tale.
I love the character progression in this series and how every story digs much deeper into king Arthur’s grand tale.
June 27, 2019
Byzantine, political. First and last chapter amazing. Deftly Handles adultery
July 25, 2019
Gerald Morris attempts but does not quite manage to superimpose the arthurian tales to a greek setting. Readable as always, but he cannot help trivialising matters in this book
February 9, 2020
Great ending 😭
September 15, 2020
Mordred and his sordid history and actions are the focal point of this novel, along with Thomas de Cretien's story of the Greek Knight Cliges.
As usual: a good read!
As usual: a good read!
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